Girl In The Yellow Taxi NYC

CENTRAL PARK’S VERY OWN PILGRIM

By

pilgrim

Here’s a little fact I’ll bet you die hard New York natives, newly arrived and tourists alike didn’t know.  That grassy knoll which nestles just beyond  the Central Park entrance on East 72nd Street is known as “Pilgrim Hill”, in homage to the brazenly bronze statue of a Pilgrim that crowns its crest.  Sculpted by John Quincy Adams Ward, “The Pilgrim” was gifted to Central Park by the New England Society in 1885.  As an aside, it just so happens that this stoic bronzed gent also watches over what us insiders know to be one of the park’s primo sledding locales in winter as well as a popular picnicking spot in the warmer months.  I’d like to think that such joyful sights bring an inward smile to our man as he continues to stand guard throughout the decades.

ALL ABOARD! THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS TRAIN SHOW

By

November 19 – January 14th

[RoyalSlider Error] Incorrect RoyalSlider ID or problem with query.

 

Enchanting model trains navigate their way through a whimsical landscape featuring over 150 iconic NYC landmarks.  With loving attention to detail, each scene is recreated from Mother Nature, incorporating bark, leaves and other natural materials-all lovingly exhibited under the twinkling glow of the New York Botanical Gardens Conservatory.  Locomotives hum along beloved sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center on nearly a half mile track.

While planning your visit, be sure to check out The Gardens’ “Bar Car Nights”-Festive evenings (adults only) where you can pick up a complimentary cocktail, beer or glass of wine as you explore the conservatory after dark before heading outside for more seasonal fun including live music, ice sculpting and fire performances.  Choo choo indeed!

The New York Botanical Gardens,  2900 Southern Blvd  the Bronx   http://www.nybg.org

CHELSEA, NYC – A SHOPPER’S DREAM

By

MAISON 140

maison140

Harkening back to its historic roots, enter this charming shop through a wrought iron fence into the ground level of a historic Chelsea townhouse.  Maison 140 is that kind of place you just get completely lost in for hours.  Every inch of space is overflowing with charming gifts including brightly colored throws, candles, pillows, dishes, soaps and oh-so-much more!

Maison 140,   140 9th Ave.    http://maison140nyc.com

 

PIPPIN VINTAGE JEWELRY

pippin3

The other day I happened upon a precious “jewel” of a shop named Pippin Vintage Jewelry.  I was immediately transported to the seemingly cavernous, wondrous closet that belonged to my beautiful and elegant grandmother.  Besides the plentitude of exquisitely curated jewelry (no reproductions here-only original vintage authentically and lovingly collected from estate sales and auctions), they also sell belts, buckles and time-honored watches.  The only thing missing here is the distinctly synthesized essence of lavender and Chanel no. 5 that was my nana.

Pippin Vintage Jewelry,   112 West 17th Street  http://pippinvintage.com

STORY

storyholiday

A 2,000 sq. ft. shop located on Manhattan’s 10th Ave. retail corridor, STORY is a retail concept that takes the point of view of a magazine, changes merchandise similar to an art gallery yet sells their wares in similar fashion to a traditional retailer.  Every 4-8 weeks, STORY completely reinvents itself from the design to the merchandise with the goal of bringing to light a new theme, trend or issue.  The current theme is Home For the Holidays,  a great place for one stop holiday shopping!

STORY,   144 10th Ave. at 19th Street    http://thisisstory.com

 

PRINTED MATTER, INC.

printedmatter

Combining the concept of retail store, living archive, artist resource and performance space, Printed Matter is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of all books art-related.  This gem of a shop is a dream world of rare publications that you will never want to wake up from!

Printed Matter, Inc.    231 11th Avenue   http://printedmatter.org

 

NEW YORK VINTAGE

nyvintage

Stylist to the stars, film, television and theatrical productions and anyone looking for something unique and fabulous to wear at their next black tie event will descend upon this shop to browse racks of the finest in Vintage Couture and Designer clothing and Accessories.  Everything is high-end so don’t expect any bargains.

New York Vintage,   117 West 25th Street http://www.newyorkvintage.com

 

CHELSEA MARKET

chelseamarket

This sprawling space (an entire City block)  houses a food hall, shopping mall, office building and television production facility inside what was once the National Biscuit Company complex (this is where the Oreo cookie was created and produced).  As you wander through the building you get a sense of the former factory’s feel from the original floors and exposed brick walls.  For foodies and tourists, it is possible to enter the market at one end in the morning and not exit the other until lunchtime, without ever growing bored-and certainly without going hungry.

Chelsea Market,   9th Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets  http://www.chelseamarket.com

 

 

 

“TASTE OF T” EVENT

By

November 3rd  6-8:30

tasteoft

Back for its 13th year, “Taste of T” is New York’s premiere food/design event which celebrates impeccably furnished spaces with outstanding gourmet cuisin.  Watch culinary greats whip up delectable delights and sample their savory creations as you tour luxury, kitchen, bath and home furnishing showrooms.

Architects & Designers Building,  150 East 58th Street     more info and tickets @http://tasteoft.com

GALLERY HOPPING IN CHELSEA

By

Good art, bad art, edgy art, disturbing art – it’s all here waiting to please and provoke in Chelsea. Teeming with over  200 galleries (many of which are housed in creatively converted warehouses), Chelsea is essentially a museum where you will find a mixed bag of all art forms from up-and-coming artists to the works of the esteemed greats.  With so many galleries to choose from, it’s best to wander up and down the blocks between 20th and 28th Streets between 10th and 11th Avenues.  The best part about viewing all this amazing art is you don’t have to pay to look.  A few of the  must-see to visit when in the neighborhood are:

Pace Gallery,   510 West 25th Street   http://www.thepacegallery.com

With four locations in New York-three of which are in Chelsea-the focus is on contemporary works of well known artists such as Chuck Close and Kiki Smith.  Check out their Mark Rothko exhibit called Dark Palette opening November 4th.  The exhibition reveals the development of Rothko’s expressive use of dark colors in his sectional paintings.

Luhring Augustine,   531 West 24th Street   http://www.luhringaugustine.com

A great gallery to see large scale sculptures, video installations, photography and performance art.

Lisson Gallery,   504 West 24th Street   http://www.lissongallery.com

Shows many important Minimal and Conceptual artists such as Sol LeWitt, Richard Long and recently held an exhibition of 101 year old minimalist painter Carmen Herrera.

Gagosian Gallery,  522 West 21st Street http://www.gagosian.com

Modern and contemporary works by American and European artists including Julian Schnabel and Richard Serra.  Their upcoming exhibition NOT ABSTACT II opens November 10th with photographs by renowned German artist Andrea’s Gursky.

303 Gallery,   555 West 21st Street   http://www.303gallery.com

This long running gallery (since 1984) has cultivated the careers of major stars like Rodney Graham, Doug Atkin and Mary Heilman.

David Zwirner Gallery,  537 West 20th Street http://www.davidzwirner.com

David Zwirner has long been a leader in the New York gallery scene, representing more than 40 artists and estates in contemporary art, Jeff Koons and Chris Ofili have shown here.  Two of Zwirner’s three Chelsea locations have in-gallery bookshops.

Jack Shainman Gallery,   513 West 20th Street http://www.jackshainman.com

The focus of the gallery has been to exhibit, represent and champion artists from around the world, in particular artists from Africa, East Asia and North America.

 

…AND FOR GOOD MEASURE, WHY NOT FINISH YOUR GALLERY DAY IN CHELSEA WITH A COUPLE OF OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH MUSEUMS.  I LOVE THESE:  

The Rubin Museum of Art,   150 West 17th Street http://rubinmuseum.org

Renowned for it’s collection of Himilayan art the museum offers a diverse array of thought- provoking exhibits and programs-including films, talks and concerts.

The Museum at FIT,   227 West 27th Street http://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/

Amazing exhibits on the history and future of fashion.  Check out their website for their free talks and tours.

ROCKIN’ ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

By

November 11th – January 2nd

Roclettes1

Nothing marks the beginning of the season quite like The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  The magic begins the minute you walk through the doors of this storied music hall featuring the world renowned Radio City Rockettes as they (along with an enormous cast including live animals) dance, prance and go “dashing through the snow” as it were.  Leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in this “can’t miss” beloved production that never ceases to remind us of the true meaning and spirit of the season.

Radio City Music Hall,  1260 6th Ave   Tickets @ https://www.rockettes.com/christmas

 

ART ON THE HIGH LINE

By

[RoyalSlider Error] Incorrect RoyalSlider ID or problem with query.

 

This elevated railway that sat abandoned on the west side for decades has become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.  A public park that sits 30 feet above street level stretches from Gansevoort  Street all the way up to 34th Street.  While you can spend your entire time on the High Line taking in the beauty of the plantings and spectacular city views, take time to look around at all the public art.  High Line Art, founded in 2009 by Friends of the High Line, invites artists to engage with the uniqueness of the architecture, history and the design of the High Line with site-specific commissions, exhibitions, performances and video programs.

CHARLOTTE BRONTE: AN INDEPENDENT WILL

By

Through January 2nd

bronte-portrait_t

From the time Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre was first published in 1847, readers have been drawn to the orphan protagonist who declared herself “a free human being with an independent will.”  This exhibition celebrates the two-hundredth anniversary of Bronte’s birth. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a portion of the original manuscript of Jane Eyre, being shown in the U.S. for the first time.

The Morgan Library and Museum, 225 Madison Ave. at 36th St.  http://morganlibrary.org

GRAND CENTRAL STATION’S AUTUMN HARVEST

By

pies

Did you tell Aunt Mary that you were bringing the pies for Thanksgiving dinner?  Forget those long nights slaving away in the oven and head on over to Grand Central Terminal.  On Wednesday November 23rd (the day before Thanksgiving)  Grand Central dessert shops and bakeries will be selling their delicious desserts on the Taxi Stand (at Vanderbilt Ave. and E. 43rd Street).  Customers can contact shops in advance to pre-order and pick up.  We promise not to tell Aunt Mary that your sumptuous pumpkin pie filling didn’t come out of a can!

SEE & DO IN CHELSEA

By

chelseablock

Stroll the Chelsea Historic District, West 20th Street to West 22nd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.  These town-house blocks in varying styles of Italianate, Greek Revival and other popular styles of the 19th century will make you reminisce about what New York must have been like back in the day.

 

See a modern dance performance at the Joyce Theater, arguably the city’s preeminent venue for dance.  The Art Moderne building from 1941 was originally a movie theater showing cult films and revivals-and later adult films.  Now it is the place to see world-renowned dance companies performing modern dance, flamenco, ballet and tango at affordable prices.

The Joyce Theater,   175 Eighth Ave  .http://joyce.org

 

Watch a performance at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater:  Robin William’s, Conan O’Brien, and Tina Fey have all graced the stage of this 150- seat comedy venue, where improv, sketch and stand up comedy take place seven nights a week, tickets are cheap and there is no drink minimum.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theater,   307 West 26th Street https://ucbtheatre.com

 

A favorite hangout of Andy Warhol’s, The Chelsea Hotel, (closed for renovations) is one of the important cultural sights in New York.  It has been the home to writers, musicians, artists and actors.  Bob Dylan lived here when his first child was born as well as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Edie Sedgwick, Jane Fonda, Ethan Hawke and the list goes on and on.  The hotel was designated as a New York City landmark in 1966 and is scheduled to open in 2017.